India's envoy in Turkey dies of cancer

Cancer had claimed Arif Khan, India's then ambassador to Italy, in February last year.
"We deeply mourn the passing of Raminder Jassal our Ambassador in Turkey. Dear friend and brilliant colleague," Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said.

Jassal has been as India's ambassador in Ankara since 2008.A 1976-batch IFS officer, Jassal's diplomatic career spanned important postings as India's ambassador to Israel and Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington.

As a member of the Indian negotiating team for the landmark India-US civil nuclear deal, the veteran diplomat played an important role in the transformation of the India-US relations during his stint as the deputy chief of mission in Washington.

Jassal was India's public face as spokesperson of the external affairs ministry during India's 1999 military confrontation with Pakistan, known as the Kargil conflict.

He served as joint secretary and spokesperson of the external affairs ministry from 1999 to 2001.

Diplomats and colleagues recalled myriad facets of the senior diplomat at a condolence meeting held in South Block. Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon were also present